Police sent 17 of 26 people arrested in a raid on a restaurant to Battambang Provincial Court on May 4 for gathering to drink alcohol and use drugs as provincial authorities and the Ministry of Health banned this type of behaviour to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Sok Nimol, provincial head of the anti-drug bureau, said a joint force raided the restaurant in Boeung Raing village of Kamrieng district, where the suspects were arrested and 4.44gm of methamphetamine (ice) and other items were seized.

The police are building a case for referral to court to further legal action.

“I’m preparing the case to send the 17 suspected drug suspects and the restaurant’s owner to the court today. Nine people had no drugs. We have educated them and allowed them to return home,” he said.

Nimol added that of the 17 suspects, eight are supervisors of KTVs, and the rest are minors. The authorities have temporarily shut down the establishment.

He said that as of May 4 the court was still questioning the suspects.

In coordination with the provincial court prosecutor, police joined by the provincial deputy police chief in charge anti-drug work, and the anti-drug bureau forces raided the restaurant.

In a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, the provincial administration has temporarily banned people from selling alcohol and gathering to drink, gambling and playing sports for 14 days from April 29 to May 13.